Parts for your 2017 Toyota Vitz|yaris-Universal joints

2017 Toyota Vitz/Yaris — Are universal joints used?

Short answer: as a driveline part, universal joints aren’t used on the 2017 Toyota Vitz/Yaris. According to Toyota’s technical literature for the P13#/P15# series (2017 model year) on Toyota’s Global Service Information (TIS), the car is front‑wheel drive with a transaxle and two front drive shafts. Those shafts use constant‑velocity (CV) joints — tripod type on the inboard end and Rzeppa type on the outboard end — not universal joints. Relevant sections include Drivetrain/Axle – Front Drive Shaft and New Car Features – Drivetrain Layout. With no propeller shaft or rear final drive in this model, there’s nowhere a traditional cross‑type universal joint would live.

It’s worth noting the steering system does include a small universal‑joint style coupling on the intermediate steering shaft (see Steering – Steering Column/Intermediate Shaft in the Toyota repair manual). That’s a steering component, not a driveline universal joint, and is serviced differently from the axle CV joints commonly replaced on small FWD cars.

Why universal joints aren’t used for the front axles on this Yaris:

• CV joints keep rotational speed constant through big steering and suspension angles, preventing vibration and torque pulsing that a simple universal joint would introduce.
• The transverse FWD layout removes the need for a prop shaft altogether, so the classic tailshaft U‑joint setup doesn’t apply.
• Toyota specifies sealed CV joints/shafts as the service parts for the front drive — universal joints aren’t listed as driveline service items for this model year.

Technical references (by topic): Toyota Global Service Information (TIS) for 2017 Yaris/Vitz P13#/P15# — Drivetrain/Axle: Front Drive Shaft (CV joint types and service), New Car Features: Drivetrain Layout (FWD transaxle, no prop shaft), Steering: Steering Column/Intermediate Shaft (u‑joint coupling in steering).

• Does a 2017 Toyota Vitz/Yaris have universal joints in the driveline?
  No. It uses CV joints on the front half‑shafts and has no propeller shaft, so there are no driveline U‑joints.
• What joints are on the front axles of a 2017 Vitz/Yaris?
  Inboard tripod (DOJ/TJ) and outboard Rzeppa CV joints, supplied as part of the complete drive shaft assemblies.
• Is there a universal joint anywhere on the car?
  Yes — the steering intermediate shaft uses a small u‑joint coupling. It’s separate from the drivetrain and is serviced through the steering system if it develops play or stiffness.